The courier, express, and postal industry is the largest segment of the transportation marketplace worldwide. This blog will provide a personal perspective on the challenges faced by firms in the industry as they serve an increasingly competitive market.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

I never go to a baseball game without buying a program. I know the players on my team, the Orioles, and yes we will end up this season over .500 and ahead of the Yankees. But i know little about the opposing team and know nearly nothing about the bench and bullpen. As for player numbers on either team, without the program, I am nearly useless.

The same is true when I go to the theater. I like to know a bit about the play and the actors. This is particularly true if the story is complicated or the language may be a bit archaic or obtuse.

Today's hearing, "Pushing the Envelope: The Looming Crisis at USPS" that will be held by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce is no different. It is particularly interesting as the hearing will be equivalent to what opening day for the Orioles will be this year. While there are some players are well known Orioles fans, most of the infield is new, the left fielder is playing his position full time for the first time and the pitching staff is young and relatively untested. Add to this opening day feeling the improvisational acting nature of politics, that is equivalent to some of the sketches of the show "Who's Line is It Anyway?" in which politicians of both parties and commentators of all stripes present arguments that almost seem like they had just been given the card "present the conservative position" or "present the liberal position" just before the hearing or television show begins.

Pushing the Envelope: The Looming Crisis at USPS
A hearing in two panels

The Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.s. Postal Service and Labor Policy

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Blog Author

Alan Robinson is the President of the Direct Communications Group and an associate of Analytic Business Services (AnaBus). He has over twenty years experience helping firms and government officials deal with the regulatory, policy, marketing, and management issues associated with changes in competition within transportation, parcel delivery and postal markets.
He can be reached at alan.robinson@directcomgroup.com